NASA satellite heads to Earth

MICHELLE RIDLEYThe West Australian
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A NASA satellite the size of a bus is expected to crash to Earth as early as tomorrow but the US space agency has no idea where it will land.

NASA said yesterday the 20-year-old Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite was expected to leave an 800km trail of debris after it entered the atmosphere.

Though most of the 5668kg satellite will burn up in the atmosphere, NASA estimates 26 potentially hazardous objects with a combined weight of 532kg will survive re-entry. NASA's warning reminded former Esperance Shire president Merv Andre of Skylab falling in outback WA in 1979.

"It was just breaking up as it came and pieces were coming off and they were white hot," he said.

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